Meghalaya generates around 1.5 million units of power on an average while the state requirement is around 6.7 million units of power every day. However, Minister Incharge of Power AT Mondal said there will be no increase in load shedding timing.
Speaking to reporters in Shillong, Mondal admitted that one unit of Leshka Hydel Power project, One Unit of Stage -3 Umiam and one unit of stage 4 Umiam Hydel Power project are overhauling.
“Two units are running and one unit of Leshka Hydel Power Project is doing some maintenance work. So maybe by August that maintenance work may be over. Two units are in place and one unit we are overhauling. I have gone to Umiam Unit 4, where we are overhauling to one unit which will be completed by this month hopefully. In Umiam unit three, there also we are doing overhauling that will be going for capital overhauling in 2025 maybe so till now we are just doing it,” Mondal said.
Asked if the state Government plans to increase the loadshedding hours particularly in Garo Hills region, he said, “No increase in load shedding hours . What we have done we are trying to pursue on that line, may be local shutdown in some areas because of the tensioning of the conductor, may be repair work may be there but as of now what I have said it earlier we are continuing like that.”
Expressing concern over the deficit rainfall in the month June, the Power Minister said, “Pray to almighty that the loadshedding hours will be reduced.”
The Power Minister further said, the demand for power is more than the generation and the state Government is trying to have certain power projects completed as early as possible to meet this growing demand.
Talking about the high demand on power in the state, the Minister said, “Every day we need 6.6 or 7 million units of power. We are generating from our own state generating units only 1.5 million units on an average…or sometimes less than a million units. So where the rest of the power is coming it is coming from banking and purchasing.”
“We are thankful to the High Court that they have given us a direction that we can purchase power and pass it on to consumers. But it is not that we purchase at a higher rate and tell consumers you give in at a high rate because the rate is fixed not by MeECL or the power department, it is fixed by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission. Therefore, we have petitioned them so let us see whether we get some respite or not,” he added.